Diabetes decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as there was no evidence of any service-connected disability at the time of his death. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was COPD, which developed many years after service and was not related to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is being remanded due to a lack of recent examination and outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The Board found no in-service injury or disease of the endocrine system, including no chronic symptoms of diabetes mellitus in service, and no herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred as a result of Agent Orange exposure in service. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a skin disability, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. The RO conceded herbicide exposure but did not find evidence of diabetes or skin disability during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes did not have onset during service, was not caused by his service, and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand or Korea, and no objective medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.,There is no direct evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Appellant's discharge from his October 1964 to February 1969 period of active duty was due to willful and persistent misconduct, which is a bar to service connection for diabetes mellitus Type 2 incurred during this period. As there is no evidence linking the current disability to any period of honorable service or exposure to herbicides, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct a VA examination, and determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities likely combine to preclude gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but finds that they preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The case is therefore REMANDED to refer the claim to the Director, C&P Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and headaches. Specifically, VA treatment records need to be obtained and a VA examination should be conducted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, has not required any restrictions on activities of daily living or medical management. The Board finds that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance due to the wear and tear caused by his service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the feet, which results in him using a VA-issued manual wheelchair at home.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to effective dates for service connection and disability ratings. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining results of VA January 2008 vascular studies and/or EKG study, reviewing all relevant evidence added since the April 2012 statement of the case, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a recognized disability. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, related to exposure to herbicides during service, is also denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service disease or injury and no confirmed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed diabetes mellitus was not incurred or aggravated by military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are found to have had an onset during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left ankle injury, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and gastrointestinal disorder (chronic diarrhea) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypoglycemia have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions. The residuals of right knee injury claim remains pending due to the need for further examination. The onychomycosis claim also remains pending as it requires a determination regarding the nature and etiology of the condition. The fibromas or tumors claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that he required regulation of activities due to his diabetes, which is necessary for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7913.